Euro F3 champion Esteban Ocon will drive for Lotus in FP1 on Friday, and in next week’s Abu Dhabi test.

The French youngster recently drove a 2012 car at Valencia.

“It is a fantastic opportunity for me to drive in my first session at a Grand Prix and I am tremendously grateful to Lotus F1 Team and Gravity Sport Management,” he said. “The practice session on Friday will be my first time driving the Yas Marina circuit and my first time in the latest generation Formula 1 car, so there will be a lot to learn, especially as I will be completing the team’s programme for the free practice session. For the test day we will have far more time me to learn and develop with the car so I’m really looking forward to Abu Dhabi.”

Deputy team principal Federico Gastaldi added: “Esteban is a superb young talent and we are particularly excited to give him this opportunity. He impressed all our engineers when he drove for us in Valencia, but this will be another step in his development programme. It’s great for us a team to support developing drivers, especially one with the potential of Esteban.”